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UK to Support Nigeria’s Developmental Programmes with ₦65b

The British government has pledged to support Nigeria’s effort towards ensuring stability and development with a commitment worth ₦65 billion, Premium Times reports.

The country’s minister for Africa, Grant Shapps, said on arrival in Abuja on his maiden visit to Nigeria that the two countries would work together to increase the nation’s prosperity in the areas of trade and security.

He said the UK government would provide a comprehensive package of support to Nigeria, by expanding military training and intelligence cooperation.

According to him, the UK would also assist Nigeria on anti-corruption capacity building and investigative support, and an annual development programme worth £218 million (about ₦65 billion).

He said the country would also contribute to the increasing prosperity at the heart of a thriving trade relationship worth £6.1 billion per year (about ₦1.8 trillion).

Mr. Shapps acknowledged UK government’s close relationship with Nigeria, saying during the visit he would meet with ministers and senior government officials, including vice president, Yemi Osinbajo; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and the Kaduna and Lagos State governors to discuss issues of common interest.

The itinerary of the visit indicates that Mr. Shapps would also see how the UK’s investment in Nigeria’s solar energy market could provide a clean and reliable answer to the country’s problem of energy access.